What (or who) is the missing piece?

[cgf]

I dislike being this guy but the title specifically states "What (or who) is the missing piece?"

None of those 4 are the missing piece - assuming the "missing piece" is referring to building a championship caliber team and not just building a more competitively constructed roster that is.

Depending on what went into the trade and their attitude, but I honestly think with Mitchell or Lavine we could win a ring in this era of parity. Our defense has been pretty dominant since the OG trade, Brunson can decide games in crunch time, and with Mitch & IH we'd have a unique advantage on the offensive glass. If we had a third star to beat up on 2nd units when Brundle rested and bolstered our depth enough to withstand some depth injuries, this group could totally win a ring.

Now Mitchell isn't currently available and I'm not sure I trust him to commit to playing the way he would to make Brunson-Mitchell the new Rolls-Royce backcourt...but he is defending better than he ever has before, and although he's not very active off the ball, his C&S #s have been pretty bonkers. With Brunson's strengths as an offball guy, it's not hard to envision Spida & JB being a suped up version of Brunson-Quickley for us. Especially now that we have OG at the 3.

We'd have to get Caruso alongside Lavine and Zach would need to be cool with getting the RJ role...start but come off early to lead the 2nd unit, only closing when he's on fire...but if that were the case, I think that could be enough for us to win as well. Lavine's become a really good off-ball guy playing with DeMar and now Coby, who's on-ball D is solid so teams can't isolate him and pick on him. So he'd help open the court for Brundle while having the on-ball skills to crush 2nd units if we just sent him out there with a bunch of defenders / transition guys.

Both would be really risky, but if a healthy Julius can play the way he has been in the playoffs and Mitch comes back ready to give us 18-20mpg at the level he was playing to start the year, we are just a 3rd star creator and some depth tweaks/reinforcements away.

I'm not opposed to the Donovan and Brunson union I just have my reservations about it leading us to championship contention.

At this point I'd love to see us bring in more wing help

I'm definitely on board with some wing help. That's why I keep suggesting Flynn + 25 SRP for Tate, regardless of what bigger moves we make. Jae'sean Tate is another Josh Hart / Bruce Brown clone, who would be great to have in case of injuries.

And why dream deadline, as well as keeping Grimes, involves adding another big wing like Williams (CHI) / Rui (LAL) / Kuminga (GSW), Barnes (SAC). As well as getting that 3rd ball handler like White (CHI) / Reaves (LAL) / Caruso (CHI) / Bogdanovic (ATL) / Clarkson (UTA) / Brogdon (POR).

I'd also want to upgrade on Precious as our 3C...whether with more of a true 3rd string guy like Richards (CHA), or someone we'd be cool with keeping as our backup next season like Gafford (WSH) / Bitadze (ORL).


But to win a ring I think we'll need that third star who can complement Brundle when all 3 are together and also beat up bench units when either or both of our current stars rest.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Brandon Ingram

[prophet_of_rage]

The real solve to our are Jordan Clarkson and Brandon Ingram. You have two shot creators, one instant mismatch guy who can defend the worst wing and the change of pace ballhandler and microwave scorer. Now you can't help off anybody. You use Robinson as a high screener to clear the paint or resign Ihart and start him and now you're consistently in single coverage and can bust any zone. Keep one draft pick and find a Clarkson clone so you can move him later on for some draft capital and you have a five year window to compete.

[cgf]

Why would they move Ingram now? Pels have the same record we do and are in the 5th seed just like we are.

[prophet_of_rage]

Why would they move Ingram now? Pels have the same record we do and are in the 5th seed just like we are.

Ingram is due for an extension and won't talk about it until the summer. Like anything else you assume the other team is willing to talk. If Ingram doesn't sign an extension then you expect they will trade him. Go get him in the summer.

[prophet_of_rage]

You can't win now with trades this year any way. It's all for next year.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Why would they move Ingram now? Pels have the same record we do and are in the 5th seed just like we are.

What if he's interested in playing here? I mean...every single player being discussed besides DM has multiple years on mega deals and people are talking about them over and over and over again. KAT/Embiid? Lavine? Really? No. We need to replace Randle with a star. Ingram is on the last year of his deal next season at 36mil. If any player is worthy of a realistic discussion it is him(or DM). We don't need a SG. We need to replace Randle.

[cgf]

Why would they move Ingram now? Pels have the same record we do and are in the 5th seed just like we are.

What if he's interested in playing here? I mean...every single player being discussed besides DM has multiple years on mega deals and people are talking about them over and over and over again. KAT/Embiid? Lavine? Really? No. We need to replace Randle with a star. Ingram is on the last year of his deal next season at 36mil. If any player is worthy of a realistic discussion it is him(or DM). We don't need a SG. We need to replace Randle.

Ingram's a better shooter than Julius; although not by as much as people might think 36% v 33% 3pt and 79% vs 75% FT career shooters.

But BI is worse at getting to the rim; 55.6% vs 30.2% of shots taken from 0-10FT this season 56.2% vs 36.9% career.

...and also the FT line; 36.9% vs 31.0% FTAr this season, 36.9% vs 33.2% career.

Which is why Ingram & Randle had almost exactly the same TS% last season (58.2 vs 58.1) and BI has actually been much less efficient than Julius has been since game 7 of the season as Ingram's at just 58.0 and Julius was around 60.0 last time I did the math.

They're comparable playmakers (19.9 v 19.1 career AST%), but Julius is a much better rebounder, much more durable, and less of a defensive liability

[DOT]

If this is anything like my Japanese animes, we're gonna be searching for that one piece for at least 20 years.

[cgf]

If this is anything like my Japanese animes, we're gonna be searching for that one piece for at least 20 years.

And I hope the ride is just as amazing

[Jalen Bluntson]

Why would they move Ingram now? Pels have the same record we do and are in the 5th seed just like we are.

What if he's interested in playing here? I mean...every single player being discussed besides DM has multiple years on mega deals and people are talking about them over and over and over again. KAT/Embiid? Lavine? Really? No. We need to replace Randle with a star. Ingram is on the last year of his deal next season at 36mil. If any player is worthy of a realistic discussion it is him(or DM). We don't need a SG. We need to replace Randle.

Ingram's a better shooter than Julius; although not by as much as people might think 36% v 33% 3pt and 79% vs 75% FT career shooters.

But BI is worse at getting to the rim; 55.6% vs 30.2% of shots taken from 0-10FT this season 56.2% vs 36.9% career.

...and also the FT line; 36.9% vs 31.0% FTAr this season, 36.9% vs 33.2% career.

Which is why Ingram & Randle had almost exactly the same TS% last season (58.2 vs 58.1) and BI has actually been much less efficient than Julius has been since game 7 of the season as Ingram's at just 58.0 and Julius was around 60.0 last time I did the math.

They're comparable playmakers (19.9 v 19.1 career AST%), but Julius is a much better rebounder, much more durable, and less of a defensive liability

So Ingram sucks? Glad to hear it. It's still far more realistic and maybe HE can be the player traded for whatever star we are dreaming about. Not one other player being discussed is in a realistic scenario though.

I really don't care at this point. I want to get the missing pieces for THIS year anyway. Brogdon/DJM/Olynyk/Gafford would be my targets. This makes us a deep team that could make a nice run. Then we can deal with whatever mystery player in the future. So far no one being discussed here is realistic.

[cgf]

What if he's interested in playing here? I mean...every single player being discussed besides DM has multiple years on mega deals and people are talking about them over and over and over again. KAT/Embiid? Lavine? Really? No. We need to replace Randle with a star. Ingram is on the last year of his deal next season at 36mil. If any player is worthy of a realistic discussion it is him(or DM). We don't need a SG. We need to replace Randle.

Ingram's a better shooter than Julius; although not by as much as people might think 36% v 33% 3pt and 79% vs 75% FT career shooters.

But BI is worse at getting to the rim; 55.6% vs 30.2% of shots taken from 0-10FT this season 56.2% vs 36.9% career.

...and also the FT line; 36.9% vs 31.0% FTAr this season, 36.9% vs 33.2% career.

Which is why Ingram & Randle had almost exactly the same TS% last season (58.2 vs 58.1) and BI has actually been much less efficient than Julius has been since game 7 of the season as Ingram's at just 58.0 and Julius was around 60.0 last time I did the math.

They're comparable playmakers (19.9 v 19.1 career AST%), but Julius is a much better rebounder, much more durable, and less of a defensive liability

So Ingram sucks? Glad to hear it. It's still far more realistic and maybe HE can be the player traded for whatever star we are dreaming about. Not one other player being discussed is in a realistic scenario though.

I really don't care at this point. I want to get the missing pieces for THIS year anyway. Brogdon/DJM/Olynyk/Gafford would be my targets. This makes us a deep team that could make a nice run. Then we can deal with whatever mystery player in the future. So far no one being discussed here is realistic.

Just saying we need to remember that grass isn't always greener and despite his flaws, Julius is a damn good player and we're pretty well set up to cover for his flaws with Brunson to run the crunch time offense and OG + IH/Mitch to anchor our defense. Replacing him just to replace him won't make us better. We either need to replace him with a meaningful upgrade who could bump Brunson down to 1b/2a status, or someone to complete our Allstar duo.

For this season I'm with you. This team doesn't need much to be really good. I worry that Donte will turn back into a pumpkin when the playoffs role around, but we have the opportunity to bolster our depth significantly if our FO wants to...even if they don't follow through with my entire Bogdanovic (ATL), Caruso (CHI), Williams (CHI), Tate (HOU), & Richards (CHA) dream

[prophet_of_rage]

Why would they move Ingram now? Pels have the same record we do and are in the 5th seed just like we are.

What if he's interested in playing here? I mean...every single player being discussed besides DM has multiple years on mega deals and people are talking about them over and over and over again. KAT/Embiid? Lavine? Really? No. We need to replace Randle with a star. Ingram is on the last year of his deal next season at 36mil. If any player is worthy of a realistic discussion it is him(or DM). We don't need a SG. We need to replace Randle.

Ingram's a better shooter than Julius; although not by as much as people might think 36% v 33% 3pt and 79% vs 75% FT career shooters.

But BI is worse at getting to the rim; 55.6% vs 30.2% of shots taken from 0-10FT this season 56.2% vs 36.9% career.

...and also the FT line; 36.9% vs 31.0% FTAr this season, 36.9% vs 33.2% career.

Which is why Ingram & Randle had almost exactly the same TS% last season (58.2 vs 58.1) and BI has actually been much less efficient than Julius has been since game 7 of the season as Ingram's at just 58.0 and Julius was around 60.0 last time I did the math.

They're comparable playmakers (19.9 v 19.1 career AST%), but Julius is a much better rebounder, much more durable, and less of a defensive liability

You don't replace Randle with him. You add him to the mix. I take it you prefer other players but BI would be the fix with this roster. Hart, Randle, Ingram, Anunoby, Brunson as your best five?

[prophet_of_rage]

What if he's interested in playing here? I mean...every single player being discussed besides DM has multiple years on mega deals and people are talking about them over and over and over again. KAT/Embiid? Lavine? Really? No. We need to replace Randle with a star. Ingram is on the last year of his deal next season at 36mil. If any player is worthy of a realistic discussion it is him(or DM). We don't need a SG. We need to replace Randle.

Ingram's a better shooter than Julius; although not by as much as people might think 36% v 33% 3pt and 79% vs 75% FT career shooters.

But BI is worse at getting to the rim; 55.6% vs 30.2% of shots taken from 0-10FT this season 56.2% vs 36.9% career.

...and also the FT line; 36.9% vs 31.0% FTAr this season, 36.9% vs 33.2% career.

Which is why Ingram & Randle had almost exactly the same TS% last season (58.2 vs 58.1) and BI has actually been much less efficient than Julius has been since game 7 of the season as Ingram's at just 58.0 and Julius was around 60.0 last time I did the math.

They're comparable playmakers (19.9 v 19.1 career AST%), but Julius is a much better rebounder, much more durable, and less of a defensive liability

You don't replace Randle with him. You add him to the mix. I take it you prefer other players but BI would be the fix with this roster. Hart, Randle, Ingram, Anunoby, Brunson as your best five? I'd put that against Philly, Boston, and Milwaukee.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Ingram's a better shooter than Julius; although not by as much as people might think 36% v 33% 3pt and 79% vs 75% FT career shooters.

But BI is worse at getting to the rim; 55.6% vs 30.2% of shots taken from 0-10FT this season 56.2% vs 36.9% career.

...and also the FT line; 36.9% vs 31.0% FTAr this season, 36.9% vs 33.2% career.

Which is why Ingram & Randle had almost exactly the same TS% last season (58.2 vs 58.1) and BI has actually been much less efficient than Julius has been since game 7 of the season as Ingram's at just 58.0 and Julius was around 60.0 last time I did the math.

They're comparable playmakers (19.9 v 19.1 career AST%), but Julius is a much better rebounder, much more durable, and less of a defensive liability

You don't replace Randle with him. You add him to the mix. I take it you prefer other players but BI would be the fix with this roster. Hart, Randle, Ingram, Anunoby, Brunson as your best five? I'd put that against Philly, Boston, and Milwaukee.

How could we get him and keep Randle?

[HarthorneWingo]

Other!!!!!!!

What's his first name?

[cgf]

What if he's interested in playing here? I mean...every single player being discussed besides DM has multiple years on mega deals and people are talking about them over and over and over again. KAT/Embiid? Lavine? Really? No. We need to replace Randle with a star. Ingram is on the last year of his deal next season at 36mil. If any player is worthy of a realistic discussion it is him(or DM). We don't need a SG. We need to replace Randle.

Ingram's a better shooter than Julius; although not by as much as people might think 36% v 33% 3pt and 79% vs 75% FT career shooters.

But BI is worse at getting to the rim; 55.6% vs 30.2% of shots taken from 0-10FT this season 56.2% vs 36.9% career.

...and also the FT line; 36.9% vs 31.0% FTAr this season, 36.9% vs 33.2% career.

Which is why Ingram & Randle had almost exactly the same TS% last season (58.2 vs 58.1) and BI has actually been much less efficient than Julius has been since game 7 of the season as Ingram's at just 58.0 and Julius was around 60.0 last time I did the math.

They're comparable playmakers (19.9 v 19.1 career AST%), but Julius is a much better rebounder, much more durable, and less of a defensive liability

You don't replace Randle with him. You add him to the mix. I take it you prefer other players but BI would be the fix with this roster. Hart, Randle, Ingram, Anunoby, Brunson as your best five?

I'd be more open to that idea but was responding to that last sentence in bold: "We need to replace Randle"

[prophet_of_rage]

You don't replace Randle with him. You add him to the mix. I take it you prefer other players but BI would be the fix with this roster. Hart, Randle, Ingram, Anunoby, Brunson as your best five? I'd put that against Philly, Boston, and Milwaukee.

How could we get him and keep Randle?

You've got Fournier's expiring, DiVincenzo and Achiuwa if they want players. Mess around and throw some draft picks in they don't. Ingram has to force a trade here, though.

[JXL]

If this is anything like my Japanese animes, we're gonna be searching for that one piece for at least 20 years.

Good one mate.

[The Lamma]

Other!!!!!!!

What's his first name?

That is his first name. Last name, Guy. He's the grandson of the hall of fame Raiders punter